Journal of the Marie Stuart Society

No. 70 June 2017 © Copyright Marie Stuart Society Table of Contents Picture Acknowledgements ...... 3 Society Officers ...... 4 Regular Features ...... 5 Editorial ...... 5 Thoughts of the President ...... 6 Correspondence ...... 6 Why I am a Member ...... 7 Reports ...... 8 Talk: “The Rich Dynastic Inheritance of Mary, Queen of Scots, from her Stewart Queen Ancestors”, 31 January 2017 ...... 8 Memorial Service At Fotheringhay, 8 February 2017 ...... 9 A Very Happy European Union! March 2017 ...... 11 Talk: 16th Century Food Standards Agency, 21 March 2017 by Margaret Skea ...... 12 A Visit to Hardwick, 15 April 2017 ...... 14 Society Annual Gathering, 22 April 2017 ...... 15 “Ladies of Letters” by Dr Alison Wiggins, Senior Lecturer (English Language and Linguistics), University of Glasgow, 22 April 2017...... 16 Visit to Mount Stuart, 23 April 2017 ...... 17 A Stitch in Time – News of the Marian Hanging ...... 21 Reviews ...... 22 Book: Scourge of Henry VIII: The Life of Marie de Guise by Melanie Clegg ...... 22 Book: The Second Blast of the Trumpet by Marie Macpherson ...... 23 Book: Mary, Queen of Scots. The captive Queen in England 1568-87 by David Templeman ...... 24 Crossword ...... 26 Branch Programmes ...... 28 Scottish Branch Programme ...... 28 Society Programme...... 29 Important Note Regarding Visits ...... 29 Notices ...... 30 Maquette ...... 30 Chronology ...... 30 Online Resources ...... 30

Picture Acknowledgements Cover, Mary, Queen of Scots by Francesco Bartolozzi (Italian, Florence 1728– 1815 Lisbon) Reproduced from the public domain collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Mary Stuart Listening to the Order of Her Execution by Doris Raab (German, born Nuremberg, 1851) Reproduced from the public domain collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York

Head Of Mary Queen Of Scots after Decollation by Amos Cawood © and reproduced Courtesy of the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection Trust

- 3 - Society Officers Members of the General Committee President Ms Elisabeth Manson 95 Queen Street, Castle Douglas DG7 1EH e-mail: [email protected] Mobile: 077 9604 4903

Treasurer Mr Ian Lumsdaine 1 Armit Place, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RE e-mail: [email protected]

Secretary The formal position is vacant; the membership list is being maintained by the editor and the administration duties are being undertaken as and when required by the president.

Journal Editor Mr Jerry Ozaniec 25/7 Silvermills, Edinburgh EH3 5BF e-mail: [email protected]

Archivist Mrs Alison Gough ‘Daphne Cottage’, Park Road, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire GL55 6EA e-mail: [email protected]

Branch Officers Scotland Chair Mrs Joan Brodie 38 Meadowbank Road, Kirknewton, Midlothian, EH27 8BS e-mail: [email protected]

England Chair Ms Jane Collier 93 Green Lane, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9DJ e-mail: [email protected]

England Secretary Mr Syd Whitehead Copeland, 3 Barley Close, Little Eaton, Derby DE21 5DJ e-mail: [email protected]

- 4 - Regular Features Editorial

This time I need to start my thoughts with an apology to our former President, Margaret Lumsdaine, for listing her as Society Archivist in the last issue. I got the wrong end of the stick and ran with it, so here I am stumbling. Entirely my fault; mea culpa, as perhaps Mary would say.

Also in the last issue I pointed out that there was a portrait of Bothwell of which I had ben unaware. As a result I inquired about it and received a reply from Zilla Oddy, Museum & Gallery Assistant: “… the portrait of James Hepburn, Earl of Bothwell … is on display at Mary, Queen of Scots’ Visitor Centre in Jedburgh. Unfortunately we don’t have any information regarding its provenance and there is no signature on the portrait. All I can tell you is that is oil on board and that the title on the painting reads ‘James Hepburn Earl of Bothwell Ano. 1565’.” Perhaps we could encourage an art historian to assess this!

On the website of the Mary Queen of Scots House at Jedburgh (http://www.marie-stuart.co.uk/Castles/MaryHouse.htm) it states that the death- mask they have was found in Peterborough where Mary was first buried by the late Dr Charles Hepburn of Glasgow. Someone asked “Who is this Dr Charles Hepburn and why does he think the mask he discovered is actually that of Mary’s?” Can anyone shed any light on this?

The Treasurer has asked me to remind people that subscriptions are now due and can be paid by cheque made payable to ‘The Marie Stuart Society’ and sent to him at 1 Armit Place, St. Andrews KY16 8RE or via Paypal to [email protected]. All payments must be in sterling.

The AGM of the Society agreed the subscription rates for the calendar year 2017 at £15 as a full member, £20 for a married couple or those in a civil partnership, and a concession rate of £2 for those in full time education.

On a lighter note I have been searching for appropriate pictures to include in the Journal and I found some from the Metropolitan Museum of Art; these are not on show at the time of writing, so you needn’t rush to New York to see the originals.

Note that there is to be an exhibition concerning the ‘Rough Wooing’ from 15 July to 17 October 2017 at the John Gray Centre, 15 Lodge Street, Haddington EH41 3DX. I shall certainly attend and wondered if anyone might want to make it into a Society event where we could enjoy it together, discuss it, and generally socialise. I had already intended to write an article for the Journal about these events, so this will help me focus on particular aspects. Is anyone intending to attend the ‘Celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the Coronation of James VI’ in Stirling? Unfortunately it clashes with my son’s

- 5 - wedding so I am looking for someone to report on it if possible.

I continue to encourage members to contribute to the feature I introduced last issue, ‘Why I am a Member’.

The deadline for submissions to be included in the next Journal is 4 September 2017 including any information you may see about news items, events, or new research concerning our Mary. For the February Journal, the date is 1 January 2018.

Once again I’d like to remind people of our online presence which consists of our own website, http://www.maryqueenofscots.co.uk, and a Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/MarieStuartSociety. Any member willing to volunteer to create and manage a Twitter account?

Enjoy your Journal.

Best wishes and thanks, Jerry

Thoughts of the President

Well I’ve completed my first year as President now, with a Society AGM and both a Scottish Branch and an English Branch AGM under my belt! It has been a real pleasure to speak to so many of our members at these events in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Leicester respectively about the different aspects of Mary’s life that they are interested in and very knowledgeable about.

Margaret Lumsdaine did warn me that our Society is very friendly and ‘people- orientated’ but even so, I have been quite overwhelmed by the cards and warm messages of appreciation over the last few weeks. So I’d like to take this opportunity here to say thank you for all your thank yous!

I look forward to seeing you throughout the Society’s programme in the year ahead, and at other events about Mary, as her life and times continue to be a focus of inspiration and interest for so many people.

Kindest regards Elisabeth

Correspondence

From Lynne Dickson, 24 February 2017.

Can I just say that the Journal (just dropped through my letter box), is full of so much interesting information, reviews of visits, etc., that it must rival (if not better) any other historical society’s similar publication. I’ve only managed a cursory look at the content for now but look forward to reading it cover to cover.

- 6 - From David Templeman, 3 April 2017.

I wish to reply to the editor’s review of my book in the last edition of the journal. First and foremost as we all work in the organisation to promote Mary, Queen of Scots then any negative comments should have been passed direct to the author for his consideration before the next print run of the book. As it is for charitable purposes, i.e., to support Sheffield Manor Lodge, then it is the charity NOT the author who suffers from any loss in orders arising from a negative review.

With that out of the way, I always aimed to write the book in a style not seen before. This was to dispense with the tedious references at bottoms of pages and back of a book. It infuriates me when reading a book that I have to leave off, often losing my page in the process, to look up references wherever they may be situated. Also the flow of the book is interrupted. I wanted to engage the reader more with the actual written or spoken text being part of the main text linked with the normal narrative. I think it works a treat and have received nothing but praise about the style I have used apart from a few exceptions. If I want to look up a reference, I will make a note and ‘google’ it later, at a time to suit me, and find more about the person or subject than any book reference would give.

I do not wish to go on in any personal confrontation but just to add that this is my first book I have ever written and with deadlines to meet, then it would never have been 100% perfect on the first print run. The second print run has tweaked one or two things to improve it even further and it has been passed to several leading historians. It will be interesting to see what they make of it. I am negotiating with Waterstones (they have approached me) for them to stock the book in the history section of all their U.K. branches. Sales have gone past 500 since it was launched in November and with no retail outlets, I am delighted with that figure.

The good news is that the Scottish tour is still on and part of my itinerary is the book talk/signing for the Marie Stuart Society. Book Title: Mary, Queen of Scots, the Captive Queen in England 1568-87.

Why I am a Member

My maternal grandmother was a Scot; and in her dining-room was a large picture of the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. This picture had a profound and lasting impression on my mother’s mind: which she passed on to me, although I am English and was born in London.

Nonetheless, MQS, as I call her for short, had a profound and lasting effect on my mind. This was particularly the case in 1987, the quatercentenary of what I like to call ‘the martyrdom’ of MQS. This anniversary also inspired me to carry out what I called ‘A Mary, Queen of Scots Pilgrimage’, via Mary’s monument, in the Henry VII Chapel, Westminster Abbey; to her initial place of burial, in Peterborough Cathedral; to Edinburgh Castle; the Royal Museum of Scotland;

- 7 - Traquair House; Carlisle Castle; and last, but not least, the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

MQS has also inspired me to write a number of published articles and poems in various journals; including my watercolour of Holyroodhouse, entitled ‘Spirit of Holyrood’: showing a ghostly image of Mary, against the background of the Palace of Holyrood.

To sum up: as a Catholic, I believe that Mary, Queen of Scots was a true martyr for her faith, in which she died a heroic and immortal death.

Peter Hancock, PhD

When i was about 10, 12 years old, at home in Prague and off school for a few days with a flu, my Mum read to me the whole book by Stefan Zweig ‘Marie Stuart’ in Czech translation. It caught my imagination immediately. I know my Mum liked it, too, as we often talked about Mary Queen of Scots’ dramatic and tragic life in this far away country as Scotland seemed to be at that time.

Never in my life then did I imagine that one day I would get married to a Scotsman, live in Scotland and see some of the places connected to Mary’s life for myself.

Years later, with growing interest in history and trying to piece her life together in more detail by reading and searching the Internet I came across Mary Stuart Society and joined without hesitation.

Helena Somerville Reports Talk: “The Rich Dynastic Inheritance of Mary, Queen of Scots, from her Stewart Queen Ancestors”, 31 January 2017

This was a reprise of the talk Margaret Lumsdaine gave at the ‘Stewart Conference 700’, 10th September 2016, as reviewed in the October 2016 Journal. As usual this was preceded by a convivial meal at Vittoria’s restaurant on George IV Bridge aided by the generosity of our President who paid for the wine!

The talk was delivered with great aplomb and was not only interesting but also quite thought-provoking. As usual afterwards there were some great questions and an interesting discussion ensued. We must applaud our former President for her continued contributions to our Society.

Jerry Ozaniec

- 8 - Memorial Service At Fotheringhay, 8 February 2017

An icy wind whipped round the church in Fotheringhay on Wednesday, 8th February as members of the Society and Friends of St Mary, the Virgin and All Saints joined to remember Mary on the 430th anniversary of her execution. By coincidence, this had also been a Wednesday, but at least the weather on that morning is said to have been clear and bright. Inside, the church was decorated with purple and white flowers and lighted candles, and a kneeler had been placed at the front with a red Scottish lion rampant on it; but it was freezing cold, and you could see steams of breath in the air as we sang.

The service was lead by the local vicar, Reverend Anne Hindle, and featured hymns, prayers and poems which Mary knew or had written: somehow hearing the Lord’s Prayer, Ave Maria and Agnus Dei in French and Latin greatly enhanced the poignancy of the occasion. Among these was a poem she herself had written beginning “Alas, what am I? What has been my life?” which Jerry Ozaniec read, reflecting on the events which had brought her to this point. Three schoolboys from nearby Warmington spoke about Mary; as well as putting together a display at the back of the church, complete with cardboard model of the castle, the schoolchildren had designed a stained glass window and a board game, and written poems about her in their best handwriting; they had visited Fotheringhay Castle and some had even travelled to Scotland to see her artefacts. It was all rather touching that she was being remembered this way so far from home.

We sang Psalm 31, which she had spoken to herself just before the final act – “In Te domine confido” (“Into your hands I commend my spirit …”) – and a hymn from the 4th century Liturgy of St James set to a very beautiful old French tune called “Picardy”, recalling her glittering childhood amid the glorious chateaux of the Loire; then the vicar recounted her story with its conclusion in a series of gloomy English prison-houses. She explained that although Mary had developed a rock solid Catholic faith, she had shown religious tolerance to her Scottish subjects that was an example we should still heed today, and also great forgiveness to her executioners for what they were about to do, reminding her ‘family’ of attendants not to weep, for it had only been after she had pledged they would not do anything to disrupt the proceedings that they were allowed to come into the hall with her.

- 9 - At this point, the bell was tolled 44 x 4 times, one for every year of her life, and I was not alone in being moved to tears to hear it. It was strange knowing there had been no passing bell rung for her all those years ago in that church, though we know bells were rung in jubilation in London to signify the death of the English queen’s nemesis. Then a funny thing happened – the sun came out and the whole place brightened noticeably – it was remarked on later at lunch – somehow echoing the Mary Listening to the Order for her Execution – the lines of the Requiem we had just heard, Metropolitan Museum of Art “Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon them.”

With a benediction given in French, Latin and English, we moved out into the weak spring sunshine and took our flowers up to the remains of the castle, leaving them by the lump of rock that is all that is left of Mary’s last prison, the ancient stronghold of the Plantagenets and Tudors. It is surrounded by railings, put there in 1913, and has two plaques, one for Mary and one for Richard III, who was born there on 2nd October 1452. As a Ricardian follower, I was teased for having dual allegiance to both monarchs as we laid our flowers next to some white Yorkist roses left at the other end, and took photographs.

By this time, we were all utterly chilled and decided to retreat to the Falcon nearby for a hot meal. We walked past the executioner’s lodgings and the New Inn, which must have been packed with courtiers and officials that week in 1587 – it is said that the place was surrounded by hundreds of men and the castle itself was garrisoned with 75 foot-soldiers and 50 bowmen to ensure there was no possibility of Mary escaping. By that time though, she was past care to do so and had told the earls who brought the death warrant that they were doing her “a great good in withdrawing me from this world, out of which I am very glad to go.” A whole winter in that fortress on the damp flatlands by the River Nene must have made her Head of Mary after Decollation – the Metropolitan rheumatism and other bodily ailments Museum of Art intolerable.

- 10 - Over a jovial lunch, and after a toast to ‘Mary, Queen of Scots’, we listened to Anne, the vicar, explain how she had broken with convention by wearing her scarlet stole to symbolise Mary’s martyrdom as a Catholic, it usually only being worn on saints’ days and around Easter: it reminded us that Mary had chosen to wear a red petticoat, bodice and sleeves that day which were only revealed when she was helped off with her black satin and velvet dress, to the astonishment of those watching. Anne had done a lot of reading up to prepare for the service, including being tutored in French and Latin by her teacher husband to ensure authenticity. We agreed this said a lot for her on top of her other pastoral duties, and mused on her unusual job holding services for both the Marie Stuart and Richard III Societies!

I remarked that I couldn’t sleep the previous night thinking about how Mary had spent her final hours, and that when our clock downstairs chimed 2 o’clock, I thought about her writing that last letter to her brother-in-law by candlelight, in the room which Paulet had had hung with black cloth – a vindictive and creepy act if ever there was one. I was quite tearful about it in fact, and it turned out I wasn’t alone, for several others – women members at least! – had also been awake through the night and felt just the same.

It was a great day, in spite of the long journeys we had all made to get there and the biting cold, but I wouldn’t have missed it, and was glad I’d brought some white heather from our garden in St Andrews to leave there as a wee minding of her native Scotland, even if, by the time we went our separate ways, it had probably already been battered by the keen winds of Northamptonshire.

Alison Gough

A Very Happy European Union! March 2017

Ian and I had a very happy trip to Austria in March where we had arranged to meet up with Erika Gassner who is the Society’s only Austrian member. After seven years of regular correspondence with Erika we met her and her lovely daughter Uta in Salzburg. What a thrill it was to meet with someone with whom I had corresponded for years and had learned about her family and her interests through frequent letters, but had never met! We enjoyed a very happy day with Erika and Uta in Salzburg, ending up with coffee and cream cakes in one of Salzburg’s famous coffee shops. Of course Marie Stuart was the subject of much of our conversation – but the joy of meeting with a kindred spirit whose company I sincerely enjoyed was really exciting. Later in our week Erika, with her husband Helmut and Uta, treated Ian and I to a delicious lunch in the famous Sacher Hotel

- 11 - in Vienna, followed by a visit to the Carthusian Monastery Crypt where are buried almost the entire Hapsburg dynasty. Helmut was an enthusiastic raconteur of the histories of this famous dynasty. A happy European Union indeed, brought together by our common interest in a very European Queen, Marie Stuart.

Margaret Lumsdaine

Talk: 16th Century Food Standards Agency, 21 March 2017 by Margaret Skea

Dr Margaret Skea gave a fascinating talk to Society members on Food Standards 16th Century style. Margaret quickly put paid to the notion that food standards are a modern phenomenon. Much like today, the standards applicable in the 16th century focused on weights and measures and environmental health.

The first interesting fact was that the townsfolk of the 16th century enjoyed a wide and varied diet. Cheese, ale, mutton, pork, bread, fish (salmon was widely available and not considered a luxury), beef, oatmeal; and some limited vegetables.

There was a significant level of commonality with regard to laws and regulations on foodstuffs across Europe and interestingly King David I of Scotland had introduced the first laws in the 12th century and 100 years before England. The poor traders of Berwick needless to say had to endure differing regulations every time the town changed hands between the English and the Scots.

In addition to statutory regulation, ecclesiastical rules also applied and on fast days: animal flesh could not be eaten and at Lent no eggs or other form of dairy could be consumed. Children, pregnant women and the elderly were exempt. (Interesting that 16th century society acknowledged the particular dietary needs of the most vulnerable).

The proportion of income spent on food was strictly regulated with the poor being allowed to spend up to 50% of income but nobles only 10%. Certain items were also restricted and the fact that pies weren’t available to the lower orders in Scotland raised a few laughs. Luckily organised football was over three hundred years away – half time without a pie and Bovril would be unthinkable! The rationale behind these rules appeared to be ensuring an adequate food supply for the so-called lower orders and to stop excess consumption by the nobility.

- 12 - In England most food production was regulated by statute whereas in Scotland that was the case only for bread and ale. All other commodities were regulated at burgh level. Famously there were bread riots in both England and Scotland but for different reasons. In England it was because the price was too high and in Scotland it was the sellers who were revolting due to the Government keeping the prices too low!

Regulations essentially covered what could be sold, where and when and also at what price. There was no private selling outwith market hours and all of this was to ensure that the population didn’t starve. So again Government was actively regulating for the welfare of its citizens, something we probably don’t associate with 16th Century rule of law.

Meat and fish had to be sold in the open with the slaughtering of animals preferred at market, all with the intention of preventing ‘forestalling’, i.e., the practice of hindering normal sales by buying up supplies from a seller and ‘regrating’ the practice of holding food back for a private sale. There were also strict regulations on the presentation and production of meat with any diseased or putrid meat being sent to the poor unfortunates living in leper colonies! Also outlawed were practices of bleeding animals to hide force-feeding and pumping animals full of air to bloat them, which made them appear to have more meat on the bone. Although sellers often baited their animals to increase adrenalin and improve muscle.

With regard to bread sales the weight of a standard loaf could fluctuate depending on the price of wheat and the practice of producing a bakers’ dozen was outlawed; but if bakers attempted to flout the laws then the penalties included fines, confiscation of bread, forfeiting freeman status, and finally the breaking of ovens.

With regard to ale, external assessors known as ‘cunnars’ set the price and chalked these on the doors of the breweries. Although their focus was on maximum pricing it is reported that during Mary Queen of Scots’ Parliament there was some debate on setting minimum prices for alcohol as well as limiting licensing hours – all to tackle the problem of binge drinking on the High Street. So again interesting to note that these issues are not confined to modern day governments’ proposed legislative programmes.

Other regulations included men without freeman status only being able to buy 8 days worth of food to prevent them setting up as small retailers and women were forbidden to measure out meal for men. Butchers couldn’t sell their own meat pies in case they used scrag ends and had to sell their meat to a pastry cook, a practice which still seems to operate in some areas of Scotland. All-in-all Margaret’s hugely informative talk told us that food production and selling was very well regulated in the 16th century. Issues that we now consider

- 13 - extremely important in society: traceability of the meat we buy, accurate weights and measures, and even animal welfare were all as important to legislators then as they are today. Everyone enjoyed Margaret’s talk and as a bonus, at the end of the event, we all appreciated the opportunity to browse and purchase this successful author’s historical novels.

Lynne Dickson

A Visit to Hardwick, 15 April 2017

Living only ten minutes from Hardwick Hall, most days will find me walking my Border Terrier and Jack Russell dogs on the beautiful parklands there; the Hall built on an escarpment overlooking the River Doe and the carp ponds, used to supply the Hall in the past, is wonderfully positioned and superbly built, given the reputation of the then Duchess of Devonshire, Bess, this comes as no surprise.

Always wanting to and needing to further my knowledge of anything Marian, I have just spent a day touring the grounds and Hall itself; there are many connections to Mary within the Rooms, Portraits of Cecil, Walsingham, Elizabeth I, Arbella Stewart and of course Bess herself, Keeper of the captive Queen for so many years.

During my visit, my intention was to spend time in the Mary Queen of Scots Room; unfortunately the room was closed to the public because of the volume of people, Easter Saturday. The Staff kindly opened it for me after informing them I was with the MSS and intended writing this article for the journal and I was fortunate to know some of them. (I was the Hall’s postman for many years. Some things in life pay off!)

I have been in that room many times but never totally alone; even though Mary was never there her presence is certainly to be felt through her personal artefacts. Over the door is a panel brought over from Chatsworth House enclosing the Scottish royal arms and the initials M.R. bordered with the inscription ‘Marie Stewart’ par la grace de dieu reyre d’ Ecosse douariere de France’.

How wonderful that reads, the style of the coat of arms is very similar to that on Mary’s own seal, now in the British Museum! I also visited and inspected Mary’s statue to the East of the Hall as I have many times previously, still requiring some T.L.C.! For members who have never visited here the statue at Linlithgow is very similar to the one at the Hall but with some differences, her prayer book being held in opposite hands. What really moves me at Hardwick is her head is slightly turned towards the North in the direction of Scotland giving a wistful and tender touch to the effigy.

Iain J Gordon

- 14 - Society Annual Gathering, 22 April 2017

The Society’s 2017 AGM took place in Glasgow. All the motions relating to financial issues were approved with the most significant one being deregistration as a charity during the coming year. The Annual Accounts were also endorsed and we all recognised the valuable contribution our Treasurer, Ian Lumsdaine, makes to the smooth running of the Society.

Enjoying the Annual Gathering

Our Secretary Catherine Vost and our Archivist Syd Whitehead were not seeking re-election and were warmly thanked; and Alison Gough was unanimously agreed as our new Archivist, with a couple of exciting new projects in the pipeline – look out for details in future Journals! As we don’t currently have a Secretary appointed, Jerry Ozaniec, our Editor, is going to look after the membership list and I will deal with any administrative matters in the meantime. We would therefore be keen to hear from anyone who is willing and interested to help with these activities for the future.

The final decision of the meeting was to consider the name of the Society – the overwhelming majority of votes were for keeping ‘The Marie Stuart Society’ as

- 15 - our formal name, but using ‘Mary Queen of Scots’ alongside it for ‘outward facing’ materials.

So a full and positive AGM for my first year and thanks to all who returned their voting slips in good time and those who attended on the day. It’s important that we all share in the decisions about our Society.

Elisabeth Manson

“Ladies of Letters” by Dr Alison Wiggins, Senior Lecturer (English Language and Linguistics), University of Glasgow, 22 April 2017

Dr. Wiggins gave a very interesting presentation on the letters of Bess of Hardwick. This was a perfect follow on to the 2016 AGM, held at Hardwick Hall, where we met Bess herself. Approximately 250 of Bess’s letters have been preserved spread over 19 different locations; 180 of these letters were to Bess and 70 were from her. In contrast, there are over 1000 letters from her husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury. Men wrote more letters than women in general and women’s letters were less likely to be preserved. This is because women’s letters were perceived to be of less interest as they were often about everyday life or household accounts. However, much information can be gleaned from the women’s letters and some did contain political information although this was more ‘hidden’. Wives often managed their husband’s correspondence – this was true of Bess for all four of her husbands!

Letters were used to convey status in several ways:

Layout/use of “significant space”: Letters written by those of high status had a large empty space on the lower part of the page and the signature would therefore be higher up on the page. The opposite approach was taken by those of lower status, with space at the top of the page and the signature close to the bottom. The only letters from Bess that used the latter more deferential approach were to Queen Elizabeth.

Writing: Those of higher status often used scribes to write their letters. However, personal handwriting was used for letters to the elite and Bess’s letters to Queen Elizabeth were always written by herself.

- 16 - Folding (letter-locking): Letters were usually folded using the ‘tuck and fold’ method (not accurately portrayed in many costume dramas!). For more personal letters, a concertina/accordion method of folding could be used. Personal letters were often of a smaller size. This could show politeness or humility, or could be used for secret letters as they could be concealed in the palm of the hand and transferred without being seen. These smaller letters were often decorated with gold floss or ribbon under the seal to make them look special. Dr. Wiggins also found some letters that had been sealed by hand-stitching; this may simply have been the most convenient method available at the time, rather than a method of indicating of status.

Those who attended the AGM were lucky enough to see facsimiles of some of these letters, folded and sealed exactly as they would have been at the time, and also examples of the smaller personal letters.

Of particular interest, during her research, Dr. Wiggins found one of the smaller personal letters dated 1584 which is likely to have been from Bess to Marie Stuart. The outer packet was addressed to Marie Stuart’s secretary, and the letter within was intended for Marie Stuart herself, although it was not directly addressed to her and there was no signature on the letter. The content suggests that Bess and Marie Stuart were on friendly terms but the method of delivery (via a secretary), and the lack of address and signature indicate that this was being kept a secret.

Dr. Wiggins is about to start researching Marie Stuart’s letters, so watch this space!

Karen Renton

(A letter from Marie Stuart recently sold for £27,500 at auction! https://goo.gl/Giq2dG [ed.])

Visit to Mount Stuart, 23 April 2017

This visit had its own complexities and Joan is to be congratulated on setting it up in changing circumstances. First, I’m going to give you a bit about the Butes and the Mount Stuart environs. To be followed by the 3 natural pieces into which our visit fell. Finally, an

- 17 - assessment about what we additionally learned about MS specifically, a Conclusion … and, a final ‘invitation to enquiry’.

Moira Leitch was sufficient of a ‘looker’ to attract the attention of Robert II, King of Scots. Her son, John Stewart, was gifted the lands of Bute, Arran and Cumbrae by dad, and appointed hereditary Sheriff of Bute. Due to his swarthy complexion he became known as the ‘Black Stewart’. At about the time of Marie Stuart the family adopted the ‘Stuart’ spelling. Successive holders of the Office served the Scottish state becoming, first, Baronet of Bute, then, the Earl of Bute, who was among the Commissioners negotiating the 1707 Union. The 3rd Earl – a great pal of George III – served as Prime Minister of Great Britain, but it was during the era of the 4th Earl that immense wealth fell the family’s way through marriage. The Office was elevated to that of a Marquessate.

Should you visit Mount Stuart you would be advised to start at the Entrance, which is situated ½ mile from the House. There are, however, regular buses going direct to the House. On the other hand, the Estate lands are peerless, especially in spring-time. Blossom-time should be savoured at leisure, and the tree diversity heart-warming. Much time, thought and care clearly proclaim themselves … which … maybe … might be a harbinger of what’s to come. We didn’t have time to muse ourselves in the Gardens so we have that also to look forward to.

At first sight the building – 1708 – hits the eyeball as something of a ‘dog’s breakfast’ – gothic, renaissance, very early Georgian, and, accordingly, I am afraid, came over as something of a harbinger of the ‘kaleidoscope’ or ‘lucky bag’, etched out in starry heavens, marbles of every vein and hue that were to follow. The 3rd Marquess [floruit 1847 to 1900] – so far as we understand – became the ‘richest man on earth’; a distinction he shared at the same time with his fellow Scot, Andrew Carnegie.

- 18 -

As the 5th item was revealed Alice could barely mask her emotions – it turned out to be Wingfield’s scribbled account as the helpless Queen is traduced and slaughtered – yes, the real thing – all ‘held their breath’ at being present in the company of this shocking document. Excerpt followed excerpt revealing Mary’s undaunted spirit, and firm grace. We are accustomed to matter like this being produced in facsimile these days, and I suggested to Alice that the Trustees might care to consider this.

There followed 2 further accounts of Mary’s departure – Fraken [1586] and Fistagen [1587] – a Spanish made ring reputed to belong to Mary, and a curious chain mail purse.

Members should be aware that any of the public may visit and review the Muniments, and we were assured of the warmest of welcomes.

Both Proclamations were the customary witterings of the reforming victors – the first treasonous, and the second perfidious … craven. The 2 samplers, the ring and the purse were always pleasurable to review. Although profoundly grim, Wingfield’s actual scribbled notes were well worth coming to see and hear.

Joan has done a splendid job. Well organised and, as usual, hugely supported, and enjoyed. The 3rd Marquess – polymath and genius – calls for further examination. Each of the separate parts in the effervescent Mount Stuart are so dedicated and so precise, yet, ‘the whole is not the sum of the parts’, and that within, and that without – the Chapel alone aside: overall an ill-fitting dog’s breakfast in translucent marble and glass, and so a waste in space, and a lost opportunity – consider Sainte-Chapelle, Paris. Like Marie Stuart, a self-evident golden opportunity has been squandered – this time by undoubted genius – but Alice, gamely stumbling over Wingfield’s dire contribution to ‘the theatre of the world’ made for sobering reflection on the part of all: and on all contemporary reflection, save, of course, the most ardent of ‘Piltdown’ thinkers that scrabble impossibly among late medieval / early modern myth and propaganda. Well done, Joan … and thank you.

Scottish history has celebrated Lords, Earls, Marquises, even Dukes... but Marquesses? That might be OK for the spouse of a Marquis. Can anyone work out why the formal title of ‘Bute’ is Marquess?

David McNaughton

- 20 - A Stitch in Time – News of the Marian Hanging

Background information of this project was published in the February 2015 Journal and the work was carried out in Edinburgh. In order to provide a full insight to the story behind the project to re-create the Marian Hanging, I felt it appropriate to allow Melissa herself to provide information on the inspirational and compelling story behind the replication of the many pieces of embroidery made by Mary Queen of Scots and Bess of Hardwick. These fascinating examples of historical embroidery have frequently been reproduced in many books; one in particular that was researched extensively was The Needlework of Mary Queen of Scots by Margaret Swain amongst others.

News had arrived by email from Melissa to all the sewing group members that at last we were going to see this wonderful piece of embroidery installed in its place of glory at Edinburgh Castle. Melissa herself had organised a group visit of the sewing group (with free entry offered by Historic Environment Scotland) where many of us from both group attended with excitement on Saturday 18th March.

Historic Environment Scotland published an article on the Marian Hanging in the Spring 2017 issue of their magazine, which Melissa had written some time ago, it was wonderful to see images of some of our sewing group and historical information of the embroidery project in print.

To date, there are still a number of technical elements to be resolved before the Marian Hanging arrangements are fully in place. The lighting is going to be altered, at the moment the lower panels are not well lit so adjustments have to be made, also the interpretation panel details are to be altered. The room is monitored for humidity, and light levels too.

Historic Environment Scotland will also be arranging an official launch event sometime in the summer; this date is still to be confirmed. We also hope that Melissa will do us the honour of giving a Talk to members of the Marie Stuart Society on the Marian Hanging Project whenever she has the time to arrange a suitable date, fitting in with her very busy work and family life.

- 21 - I hope you all enjoy visiting the Castle to see our beautiful completed panel finally assembled and on display. We are all so proud and excited to have been part of this amazing project, I am sure Mary would be delighted to think that over four hundred years later dedicated and skilled needlewomen were replicating this wonderful piece of embroidery to be viewed by thousands of people from all over the world.

The interest, enthusiasm, dedication, and of course the wonderful friendships forged will long remain with us. I must especially praise the support, guidance, patience, and considerable in-depth expertise shown by the founder of this replica project, Melissa Viguier, who schooled the sewing group. Her outstanding talent and leadership involved in this and the research into the technical aspects of the sewing has made this amazing project happen. We are all indebted to Melissa for her hard work and all of the sewing group are intensely proud of the beautifully completed hanging finally assembled and one step closer to its permanent home displayed in Edinburgh Castle.

A book about the Marian Hanging Project by Melissa Viguier is going to be published in 2017. I do hope you enjoy reading about the background of how it all began in the next Journal.

Catherine Vost Reviews Book: Scourge of Henry VIII: The Life of Marie de Guise by Melanie Clegg

Published: 15th August 2016, ISBN: 9781473848382.

This new biography of Mary, Queen of Scots’ mother, Mary of Lorraine, is an easy read. However I have to complain that the lack of footnotes or endnotes means that it is difficult to follow up tantalising areas of enquiry. The author states that our Mary’s birthday was 7 December rather than the generally accepted 8th. Why?

Its title is also misleading; the period known today as the ‘Rough Wooing’ is addressed as late as page 132 and the death of Henry reported on page 147 – barely 15 pages (of 201) where the dispute between Scotland and England over the Treaties of Greenwich was the main preoccupation of their relations and which Marie and Henry were at loggerheads.

Some of the things I would like follow up include the diet described, the pageants reported, the social milieu extant at the court of François I, and the letters quoted.

- 22 - That being said, I did learn some new facts, notably that Marie was not necessarily averse to a match with Henry VIII as I always supposed from the oft-quoted comment about her neck; she made that in response to an unflattering remark by Henry and the full quote is “I may be big in person, but my neck is small.” Indeed she sat for a double portrait of herself with her younger sister intended for his eyes to assess their suitability as potential wives. Another was just what a fateful day was 30 June 1559: Protestant forces overran Edinburgh and Henri II suffered his fatal wound whilst jousting.

There are also a few things I question. Concerning the coronation of our Mary, Clegg states that “Lord Arran and Lord Lennox … carrying the sword and sceptre respectively while … the Earl of Argyll carried the bejewelled sword of state.” Two swords? Without a reference to examine, I cannot answer the question as to what sword Arran was carrying. She also equates ‘dropsy’ (the cause of Marie’s death) with congestive heart failure which it is not; it is a swelling, an oedema, often a result of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). And a real clanger missed the editor’s eye when she states “By the start of July [1560], it was obvious to everyone she was dying” when she died the previous month!

Jerry Ozaniec

Book: The Second Blast of the Trumpet by Marie Macpherson

Published: 11 October 2016, ISBN-13: HC 978-1-910282-51-9 PB 978-1-910282-10-6.

This new novel by Marie Macpherson is the second blast of a trilogy dealing with the life of John Knox in his role as the iconic Protestant reformer. Those who have read the first blast will be familiar with the dramatis personae. Those who haven’t will have some work to do identifying who is who. However, there is a helpful list at the beginning of the book of all seventy of the characters and their place in the history of the period.

The novel begins in the spring of 1549 as Knox prepares to set sail from Calais to Scotland, but he is forced to land first in England. The sickly Edward VI is on the throne, soon to be replaced by the Catholic Mary Tudor, one of “the monstrous regiment” along with Mary of Guise in Scotland and Mary Stuart in France. The locations move between England, Scotland, Switzerland, and Germany. The action in part concerns Knox’s dealings with the lairds and nobles, both Protestant and Catholic, who are struggling for power and supremacy in a Scotland torn by internecine strife. Much of the book is devoted to his relationship with his wife Margery, her mother, and with several other ladies.

Marie Macpherson’s intention throughout the novel is to reveal the more human face of the man who is too often portrayed as a demagogue full of invective and

- 23 - intolerance. A different side to his character is displayed in his relationship with his wife, his family and his friends. He is considered to have been a caring husband and father and his letters reveal a surprising tenderness and sense of humour. We should not forget, however, that his language was far from tender towards those who were not of the new religion and he called for the assassination of Catholics.

The factual history of the period is always there as a backcloth, but the main interest of the novel is in the interplay of the variety of characters who animate the action. The dialogue is always lively and natural, for the most part in contemporary English, but with just a smattering of the Scots dialect to give veracity to time and place.

Marie Stuart herself does not appear. Her arrival on the scene and her confrontations with Knox will, I am sure, be the main focus of the Third Blast which will be eagerly awaited.

John Irvine

Book: Mary, Queen of Scots. The captive Queen in England 1568-87 by David Templeman

Queen Mary’s life can be divided into three distinct categories: her happy and educational childhood at the Court of Henri ll in France; her short reign as Queen in Scotland; and her long confinement in England. This last chapter in the Queen’s life story is the subject of a new book written by one of our members, David Templeman

I would commend to all who have any interest in Scotland’s only sovereign Queen to read David’s recently published book Mary, Queen of Scots – The Captive Queen in England, 1568-87. It would seem that over 12 long years David has immersed himself in the actual writings of Mary and all those associated with her confinement in England. His book quotes from possibly hundreds of letters written by Mary, to Mary and about Mary. Whilst reading Mary’s own quotes one can feel the frustration and anger of the Queen at Our current and former Presidents the treatment she receives whilst being held under house arrest in England. One can understand why Queen Elizabeth agreed to be cautious about her cousin’s release back to Scotland or to Europe, but most of all David’s book gives a clear insight into the Queen’s thoughts and emotions during her captivity years, the effect she had on her jailors, the intrigue - 24 - in which she naturally became involved in order to escape from her confinement, and the trust she put in the most unlikely and devious people who had their own agenda in exacting her release. In fairness too, David shows that Mary also had a devious side in her denials of any involvement with people who were imprisoned and even executed for their efforts on her behalf.

I am astonished at the amount of research which David has put into the publication of his book, written, he quotes, entirely to raise funds for ‘The Friends of Sheffield Manor’. Without the constant interruption of references at the foot of the pages, the book is easily read. In fact the numerous references required would have interrupted the easy flow of the timeline of this book had they been included.

The Scottish members of the Society – and indeed anyone – will thoroughly enjoy David’s own account of his researches for this book when he speaks to the Branch on 17th July. I look forward to his talk with enthusiastic anticipation and hope that all who attend, or who read the reviews, will wish to purchase this amazingly detailed account of the Queen’s captivity in England from 1568 until her execution in 1587.

Margaret Lumsdaine

- 25 - Crossword

1 2 3 4

5 6

7 8

10 11 12 13

15 16 17

21 22 23

24 25 26 27

28 29

- 26 - Crossword Clues

Across 1 In my end is my beginning 5 French fortress, scene of Huguenot executions in 1560 7 Fiery fanatic author of “The Monstrous Regiment” 9 Island breed of dog found under her skirts after her execution 10 Lustrous gift from Catherine de Medici 14 Feline motif stitched with hidden meaning 18 Edinburgh’s famous street 19 Mary’s first and darkest prison after Carberry in 1567 21 Beloved jewellery design associated with Mary 24 Juicy delicacy said to have been brought by Mary to Scotland 28 She had four of these 30 Scene of daring moonlit escapade with Bothwell in June 1567 31 Novel honeymoon activity in 1565 32 Boy’s name sixth and first Down 1 Mary’s first husband 2 Her so-called “good sister” 3 Mary’s second husband 4 Scene of the first conference in 1568 6 Norfolk home today of Mary’s needlework 8 Secret hiding place for messages untapped 11 Island prison in the royal kingdom 12 Her feared and hated last jailor 13 Scene of James VI’s baptism in 1566 15 Silver coin minted for 1565 marriage 16 Her murdered Italian secretary 17 Her elder half-brother’s title 18 Her hated hilltop prison 20 These appeared anonymously after Darnley’s murder 22 Her nemesis 23 She needed this to sail to freedom, twice 25 The colour of her hair 26 Prince James’ foster-father 27 Mary’s long-time ambition! 29 Her favourite seaside golf retreat

The solution will be published in the next Journal.

- 27 - Branch Programmes Scottish Branch Programme

Monday 17 July 2017, 7:00 PM – Talk: About the book Mary, Queen of Scots, the Captive Queen in England 1568-87 by author David Templeman at the Quaker Meeting House, 7 Victoria Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2JL.

Books will be on sale at the event but for anyone not being able to attend, the book can be purchased online at www.fosml.org.uk/shop Price is £9.99 post free; anyone not online, please ring David on 01246 415497 for details.

Saturday 29th July 2017 – Celebration of the 450th Anniversary of the Coronation of James VI at the Church of the Holy Rude, Stirling, at 7:30 PM.

We have been invited by the Minister, Revd. Alan F. Miller and Kirk Session of the Church of the Holy Rude to the lecture marking the Coronation of James VI which is entitled From Bairn to Bearded Man, the political apprenticeship of James VI, 1578-1587 by Dr Steven Reid, Senior Lecturer in Scottish History, the University of Glasgow.

The kirk has a loop for hearing aids, and there will be some hospitality after the lecture. You are warmly invited to bring people and tell others. There are no tickets and you can walk in on the evening of 29 July but they would appreciate getting feedback in advance to help them complete arrangements.

Although the event isn’t ticketed you might like to let Joan Brodie know if you plan to attend the lecture so that she can give the Church an idea of numbers.

Although there is no charge for the lecture Holy Rude readily accepts contributions to the Organ Appeal Fund being run by the Friends of the Holy Rude.

16-17 September 2017 – Recreation of the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh in the parkland at Newhailes House near Musselburgh.

The Scottish Battlefield Trust are assembling some of Britain’s finest re- enactment societies to present, for the first time, a recreation of the Battle of Pinkie. Newhailes House is an 18th Century property in the care of the National Trust.

As well as the main event on 16-17 September there will be a guided walk of the battlefield on Sunday 10 September starting at the Old Roman Bridge in Musselburgh. Arran Johnston (some members will remember his wonderful presentation last year when he came as an English soldier to talk to the Society about Scotland’s Rough Wooing) will be at the end of the walk dressed as a soldier of the period to assist in a wreath laying ceremony, having walked over four days from the English camp at Eyemouth.

- 28 - When we get further details nearer the time we’ll circulate them to members and, if there is sufficient interest in attending one of the events, we could go as a group.

Saturday 25th November 2017 – Christmas lunch and Scottish Branch Annual General Meeting at the Apex Haymarket Hotel, 90 Clifton Terrace, Edinburgh EH12 5LQ at 1 PM.

Society Programme

Saturday 5th August 2017 – Memorial service to commemorate the burial of Mary in Peterborough Cathedral.

Saturday 21st April 2018 – Society Annual Gathering 2018. Carlisle will be the venue. Further details will be published in a future Journal.

Members are encouraged to make suggestions and (especially) organise talks and visits. The Society will only remain vibrant through the active participation of members.

Important Note Regarding Visits

The two Branches of the Society have their own programmes each year and members can attend any of them. A summary of each programme is published in the Journal and details of timings, cost, numbers, etc. are sent directly to Branch members only. Thus if someone from the Scottish branch wishes to attend a meeting on the programme of the English Branch, detailed information should be obtained from the English Chair Person or Secretary and vice versa.

Members wishing to attend any of the visits MUST advise the relevant organizer within the time allowed and obtain assurance that they are booked in. Payment, where relevant, should be made in advance and confirmed by the organizer. Numbers are limited on many of the visits and anyone turning up on the day without prior payment or confirmation may be very disappointed to be refused admission.

Milk & Honey stained glass at Mount Stuart

- 29 - Notices Maquette

A bronze statue of Queen Mary – height 10’, commissioned by the Society can be purchased at a cost of £185 including Postage and Packing. Cheques should be made payable to James Davidson and be sent to Margaret Lumsdaine, 1 Armit Place, St Andrews, Fife KY16 8RE.

Chronology

The initial print run of 50 copies of Syd Whitehead’s Chronology are now all sold!

At this point a slightly revised chronology is ready for a further print run. Since the audience for the work is limited and that the first run may have satisfied the majority of any demand, Syd requests any member who is interested in obtaining a copy please let him know so that he can record the interest and hence gauge the justification for a further printing. Syd’s Contact details are given above.

As an aside, you might find this interesting: https://chainmailblog.historic- scotland.gov.uk/following-mary/.

Online Resources

Quite a good summary of the main events and places of Mary’s life exists at: https://goo.gl/SbdltP which, in turn, has many further useful links.

For those of you who are unable to visit Holyrood or for those who would like a reminder, the following virtual tour may be of interest: https://goo.gl/9dGXxD.

Here is an interesting, short video concerning Mary’s entrapment by Walsingham and her use of ciphers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_htopuN4pCk.

When reading old documents or their transcriptions, the Dictionary of the Scots Language website is useful: http://www.dsl.ac.uk/; similarly is the Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases: http://medieval_terms.enacademic.com/.

When we see an historical date, it is sometimes useful to know what day of the week it happened to be; use the following website to discover what it was: http://people.albion.edu/imacinnes/calendar/Day_of_the_Week.html.

When reading accounts of pageants, dinners, celebrations, etc., we often have a curiosity as to how much in today’s money the quoted amounts would be; this can be a rather problematic issue but this this website will give you an insight into that difficulty: https://www.measuringworth.com/ppoweruk.

Among the many books available online are A diurnal of remarkable occurrents that have passed within the country of Scotland, since the death of King James the Fourth till the year M.DLXXV . From a manuscript of the sixteenth century in

- 30 - the possession of Sir John Maxwell of Pollock. at: http://archive.org/details/diurnalofremarka00thom, The historie and life of King James the Sext at: http://archive.org/details/historieandlif1300thomuoft, the History of Mary Queen of Scots by Adam Blackwood at: http://archive.org/details/historymaryquee00macdgoog, and Mary Queen of Scots, 1542-1587. Extracts from … state papers by Robert Sangster Rait at: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/38048/38048-h/38048-h.htm. Also available is an article by John Hungerford Pollen entitled Mary Queen of Scots and the Babington plot at: http://archive.org/details/maryqueenofscots00polluoft.

Travelling back from Mount Stuart

- 31 - The Marie Stuart Society

The Society was formed in 1992 to mark the anniversary of the birth of Mary, Queen of Scots. The aim is to promote the further study of her life and times. We are not an academic society but a group of people who all share an interest in this period of history, and in particular, Mary.

There are branches where members can attend regular meetings and outings and it is hoped that we will establish branches in other parts of the world where we already have members.

A Journal is circulated to all members three times a year, containing interesting and sometimes little known information about Mary, her courtiers and her people.

An Annual Gathering is held when members are invited to attend a special luncheon, usually at a venue with a unique historical ambience where they will have the opportunity to meet and talk with members from the UK and overseas.

New members are always welcome not only within the UK but from any part of the world. If YOU have an interest in MARY, then the Society has an interest in YOU.

Scottish Charity No. SC 044300

Printed by

Kall Kwik, Hull

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